Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-13

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel and zinc (2014)

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The line chart illustrates average monthly change in the price of three metals i.e. copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014.

Overall, it can be seen that change in price of Nickel declined considerably and reached at lowest, despite it was highest initially. In contrast, the change in price of Zinc experienced a slightly surge at last, although it fluctuates a lot throughout the period. Moreover, despite so much oscillation in change in price of copper, it came to the same point from where it started.

Nickel was accounted for the highest change in price, as in start it was 6% and it declined continuously till march. From march to April, it plateaued at 1%, and then it again decreased considerably and reached at lowest point in June, which is -3%. After that, from June it rised upto -1% and then remained stable till September. At last, from October it rised, and reached at 1%.

Moreover, price of copper fluctuated between -1% to 2%, initially it stood at 2% and gradually decreased till may and made up at -0.5%, after that it climbed and reached at 2%, from where it started. Whereas, price of zinc rose from 1% to 3% initially and then dropped at-1% in month of June. However, from June to October there was not so much changed at it almost remained stable between -1% to 0%, and then increased significantly and stood at 1%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response successfully covers all three metals featured in the chart and provides an overview of the main trends. The student selects and reports key features, such as nickel starting high and declining significantly, copper returning to its starting point after fluctuating, and zinc experiencing a late surge. Comparisons are also made between the trends. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting specific data points (for instance, misinterpreting the exact percentages and axes values), and the description occasionally slips into listing data rather than synthesising the information. Despite these minor limitations, the overall task requirements are adequately addressed, earning a band score of 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is divided into an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the metals, showing a logical structure. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', 'Moreover', and 'Whereas' are used to connect ideas, although some transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different elements of the data. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional clunky phrasing like 'came to the same point' slightly disrupts the flow. Overall arrangement is coherent, which aligns well with the descriptors for Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to graphical data such as 'fluctuated', 'plateaued', 'declined considerably', and 'decreased'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward collocations, such as 'slightly surge' (instead of slight surge), 'Nickel was accounted for the highest change' (instead of accounted for the greatest change), and 'rised' (instead of rose). While these errors do not prevent communication, they reflect a lack of precision that keeps the response at a Band 5.5 or 6.0 level. Stronger control over word forms is needed for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'despite', 'although', and 'while'. However, there are frequent grammatical and mechanical errors throughout the text. Examples include tense confusion and morphological errors like 'rised', missing articles ('in start', 'in month of June'), and awkward preposition use ('reached at lowest point'). Punctuation is also occasionally weak. Although these errors do not severely impede overall comprehension, their frequency prevents the writing from achieving a Band 6.5, making a Band 6.0 a fair and accurate assessment.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.